Well I entered the building, the search of me was useless I could of bought anything in, and I know a couple of people who had. I thought the food was rank, I lost over a stone, the staff only talk to you if you talk to them, there was no support whatsoever, no gym, no acupuncture, no support classes, all there is to do is smoke and talk to other people in the same situation. I learned one thing, that 1 minute means 1 hour, and a couple of minutes means 2 hrs, and change over means get lost with the staff. The beds are so uncomfortable, I think I could of got sleep on a bed of nails easier.

I've been out of there for just nearly a month, I was in for 10 days and I still feel so ill and I mean ill. If you think you're gonna go in and come out free of withdrawals I would honestly think again, they rapidly cut you down and you can get the tablets that makes you feel better, but when you come out it all comes back your withdrawals. I'm not surprised how people relapse, no after care, I have been doctors every week since I've been out they give you lufexedine to help in detox, but when you come out the doctors won't give you them as there too expensive, oh and there not addictive, makes sense that rather give you other cheap addictive drugs, oh and I was told that only the detox place only have them which is rubbish becuase every chemist has them but you need a doctors script and you ain't gonna get any.If I knew what it was like I would never of gone in, the best people I met was the people in there like me, I'm honestly not happy with the way I have been misled, everyday still is a struggle I'm left alone to get on with it

Responses

First of all let me say thank you for your very honest and frank feedback.

The Woodlands takes all feedback, positive or negative, very seriously as it allows us to shape our service for the future. At this point I can only apologise that your experience of the detoxification process was so negative.

Before addressing how we will act on your feedback I’d like to take a moment to congratulate you on completing your course of treatment despite the circumstances you describe. Detox for most can be a time of turbulence, a transition that is physically, psychologically and emotionally very difficult. There simply is no easy way to “do it”.

Your feedback, as with all feedback we receive, will be addressed at our next staff meeting (Thursday 24th August). Issues around staff engagement with service users will be discussed in depth. Whilst this is an area we typically pride ourselves on, your feedback gives us reason to review this with our team.

The Woodlands Recovery Programme as a whole is currently going through a re-structuring process, following an unfortunate 2 months where staff re-structuring has only permitted a scaled back service provision. This is by no means an excuse, but I hope that the plans we have in place for the future will reassure you that future service users will not encounter the same difficulties as yourself.

Much of your feedback relates to the care you have received following your stay at the Woodlands. As your feedback is anonymous it is difficult to comment on this in depth. However, The Woodlands is happy to provide a link between yourself and your community care providers if this pathway has broken down. Should you require any advice and support regarding your ongoing aftercare and recovery I encourage you to please get in touch with The Woodlands directly and we would be more than happy to liaise with your community care provider to gain you the support you require. You are certainly not alone!